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Uganda journalist Godfrey Maganda, http://www.garoweonline.com/, recently asked to contribute stories to Gay South Florida about gay life in his country. Here's Maganda's first report:

Gays at war with Uganda government

BY GODFREY MAGANDA

The government of Uganda has advised homosexuals who can not drop the homosexual habits to migrate to countries where the practice is acceptable.

Gays and Lesbians in Uganda have been in lime-light for the last two weeks since they held a press conference in Kampala advocating for their rights and requesting for recognition by government.

They want the government to revoke the law against homosexuality which they say renders them to live like outlaws. According to the constitution of Uganda homosexuality is illegal and whoever is caught in the act is liable to be punished with imprisonment of between 2 to 10 years.

Their press conference sparked of protest demonstrations by religious leaders and moralists saying that homosexuals had no place in Uganda. They carried placards reading that, 'Uganda is a religious country with no place for Homosexuals.'

The Ugandan minister of ethics and Integrity, James Nsaba Buturo, said,'' I advise them to migrate to other countries because their acts are shameful ,abominable and unGodly. My view is that of the majority of Ugandans. The view is clear that their acts are not accepted in our society. They are wasting their time that they are advocating for their rights.''

Buturo said that the law is clear that homosexuality is illegal. He said. ''If God is against homosexuality ,who are we to legislate for it? We would be bringing a curse on Uganda.''

But the leader of homosexuals in Uganda ,Victor Mukasa said that gays have absolute rights. She said,'' It is unfortunate that even the government minister Buturo who is supposed to uphold the constitution by protecting our human rights has joined the religious leaders and other people to condemn us. We are human beings and have a right to belong to society.''

The government says that it is ready to help those who are ready to leave the homosexual way of life. Minister Buturo said '' As government we shall do everything possible to help them change and those who don't want to change would be arrested.''

Uganda government also accused some organizations in developed countries which support gays and lesbians in Uganda. He said that they give them a lot of money to promote the vice in the country.

He said that some developed countries have appealed to the government to let the homosexuals live freely in Uganda but that can not be accepted. He said,'' We shall not act under pressure from donor countries. It is nonsense to say that homosexuality is natural .''

However, homosexuals in Uganda continue to appeal to the public and government to let them exercise their freedom to live the way they want.

Their coordinator, James Bibingi said, '' I want the public and government to know that we are not criminals because we are not raping or defiling anybody. We are having relationships with people who have the same feelings like us, people who are attracted to others of same sex. That is not crime. The government is harassing us for nothing.''

The homos have appealed to the international community, especially developed countries that donate to Uganda to come to their rescue.

On Saturday October 13th at 8pm, Edison Farrow presents "Queer Riot!" - a night of outrageous comedy starring Bruce Vilanch, Judy Tenuta and Lady Bunny. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, September 8th at 10am on Ticketmaster.com. There will also be a Pre-Sale for for SoBeSocialClub.com email subscribers on Wednesday, August 29th at 10am with a password to be emailed to the mailing list.

Bruce Vilanch is of the most sought-after jokesmiths in the entertainment industry, Bruce Vilanch has become a recognizable face in his own right, thanks to the feature-length documentary "Get Bruce!" (1999) and his one-time stint as a regular on "Hollywood Squares" for which he also served as head writer.

In Los Angeles he wrote for variety shows like the original "Donny and Marie" and "The Brady Bunch Hour" and provided material for Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers. He has maintained his connection with Midler through the years, working on such projects as the feature "Divine Madness" and the TV special "Bette Midler - Diva Las Vegas", as well as writing for her short-lived but lively sitcom, "Bette!".

Vilanch began contributing to Academy Awards telecasts in 1989, collaborating with the likes of Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and David Letterman, and graduated to head writer in 2000. He has roasted celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and President Clinton. The Whoopi connection led to his providing the notorious material Ted Danson performed in blackface at a certain 1993 Friars Club roast of his then-girlfriend Goldberg, but his resume also includes "You Made Me Watch You", the touching Emmy-winning valedictory Midler crooned as a send-off to Johnny Carson.

He scripted most of the Academy Awards telecasts over the last decade, two of which won Emmys, including the one featuring Billy Crystal's Hannibal Lecter entrance. Mr. Vilanch has also written for The Tony's, The Grammy's, The Emmy's, and just about every other award show to brighten your television screen. He also participates and volunteers at almost every charity function, especially those dealing with GLBT issues.

Mr. Vilanch recently wrote Bette Midler's Tour, toured in the Broadway hit, "Hairspray", and appeared on Celerity Fit Club.

Judy Tenuta is the most famous person that ever lived. If you don't believe it just ask her! The stand-up comic/actress who describes herself as a "multi-media Bondage Goddess" and "the Aphrodite of the Accordion", is actually a caring nurturer who wakes up at 8PM to verbally abuse countless herds of mortal swine (her audience) and converts them to her signature religion "Judyism". Her fans ranging from fetuses to fossils, gays to geishas, all beg to chew her gum and kiss her feet because she is the only fun-feminist who preaches that all women should be worshipped as "Love Goddesses", and all men have an equal opportunity to become her furniture. It could happen! Judy has starred in her own HBO, Showtime, and Lifetime Specials and has been seen on every major talk show. Most recently she was a special correspondent for "American Journal", and "Entertainment Tonight,"where she conducted interviews with such celebrated public figures as Donald Trump and Reverend Jesse Jackson. Judy has also had two smash comedy CD's and has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards for her "Attention Butt-Pirates and Lesbetarians", and "In Goddess We Trust". She is also the author of "The Power of Judyism" (Harper-Collins).

Lady Bunny with glitzy outfits, sky-high wigs, and false eyelashes long enough to embarrass even Tammy Faye Bakker, this multi-talented drag artiste would turn heads even if looking glamorous was his only talent. But this isn't just another man in a dress. Lady Bunny is a successful comedienne, emcee, singer, songwriter, actress, DJ, and, most famously, the founder, organizer, and hostess of Wigstock, the outrageous festival of drag and music that had been delighting over 40,000 New Yorkers and tourists visiting New York for the event, every Labor Day for over 20 years. The feature film, Wigstock, The Movie, which chronicled the event from preparation to performance day, was produced specifically about this popular event and Lady Bunny, and has just recently been re-released on DVD.

Bunny tours constantly, bringing down the house from Cincinnati to Tel Aviv with her bawdy, Dusty Springfield-meets-Don-Rickles mix of potty-mouthed humor, Southern charm, zany "Laugh-In"-style skits, and X-rated pop song parodies. Bunny has emceed events around the world ranging from Van Cleef Arpels corporate parties to Gay Pride Parades and has shared the stage with the likes of Pamela Anderson, Margaret Cho, Dennis Rodman, Cyndi Lauper, k.d. Lang, and the B-52's, just to name a few.

As a journalist, Bunny keeps a high profile with her weekly "Star Style Report" for Star Magazine. Bunny also writes regularly for various other publications such as Visionaire, Paper, Instinct, Genre, V, Interview and Time Out New York. Frequent TV and Film appearances also bring Bunny's name to the worldwide masses. As a talking head for TV networks like E! and VH1 and with appearances on Comedy Central's "Pam Anderson Roast," HBO's "Sex and the City"; Britney Spears' MTV special "In the Zone & Up All Night," as well as feature films such as Not Another Gay Movie 2, Dragtime, Party Girl, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Lady Bunny is no stranger to the various demographic pools. Bunny's even been consistently mentioned on the international hit show "Will & Grace," cementing her status as an icon.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today applauded the move by Broward County commissioners to remove Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle from the Tourist Development Council over his recent homophobic comments related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Broward. Commissioners, upset by the negative impact the Mayor’s comments have had on tourism in the area, ousted the Mayor by unanimous vote earlier evening after repeated warnings asking the Mayor to cease his attacks on the gay community which have included the accusation that rampant gay sex in public restrooms has been fueling Broward County’s HIV/AIDS crisis.

“We applaud the actions of the Broward County Commissioners who unanimously voted to remove Mayor Naugle from the Ft. Lauderdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. We urge the Ft. Lauderdale City Commission, Governor Charlie Crist and other public officials to denounce Mayor Naugle’s hateful rhetoric and call for his resignation,” said Michael Kahane, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Bureau Chief, Southern Region. “It is unfortunate that so much damage has already been done by the Mayor’s misinformed and irresponsible remarks. In Broward County, as in much of the nation, HIV/AIDS is growing rapidly among minorities, including African-Americans, Latinos and women. African-Americans comprise over 50% of the reported HIV cases in the state. Women accounted for 30% of the HIV cases reported in Florida in 2006.”

“Even more critical than jeopardizing tourism dollars is the grave impact the Mayor’s false characterization of the County’s HIV/AIDS epidemic will have on people who may continue to believe that they are not at risk for contracting HIV if they are not engaging in the behaviors the Mayor falsely proclaims have been primarily fueling Broward’s HIV/AIDS crisis. His remarks over the past few months are not only reprehensible for their hate-filled ignorance, but may in fact prove deadly to those who – after hearing the Mayor’s words – may now believe that the HIV virus only affects certain groups,” added Kahane.

According to “Silence is Death: The Crisis of HIV/AIDS in Florida’s Black Communities” (a report published by Florida’s Department of Health in September 2006) in 2005 1 in 58 black males and 1 in 83 black females in Florida were living with a diagnosed case of HIV/AIDS. In 2005, for the 15th year in a row, HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death among black males and black females aged 25-44 years.

It is estimated that in Broward County, approximately 1 in 130 is living with HIV/AIDS; 1 in 216 among the white population; 1 in 50 African-Americans. The AIDS case rate among black females is 22 times higher than among white females.

Florida is currently the third state with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the U.S., behind New York and California. More than 4,000 HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed in Florida every year, accounting for 10% of all new infections in the U.S., which is estimated at 40,000 new cases per year.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare, research, prevention and education provider, currently providing medical care, including lifesaving treatment and services, to more than 50,000 individuals in 15 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. In Florida, AIDS Healthcare Foundation provides HIV/AIDS medical care and services through its AHF Magic Johnson Healthcare Center in Jacksonville; a disease management program, Positive Healthcare; five Positive Healthcare Pharmacies located in Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Miami & Jacksonville; and its Medicare Advantage Part D Special Needs Program. For more information please visit: www.aidshealth.org

''The percentage of people I represent on the charges, the vast number of them turn out to be very straight and very married,'' said Fort Lauderdale attorney Norman Kent, publisher of the website NationalGayNews.com. ``They're looking for moments of instant gratification.''

This concept was affirmed by American University anthropology Professor William Leap has spent more than a decade researching male sex in public places. In 1999, he edited an academic compilation called Public Sex/Gay Space. His conclusion is that up to half of the men who seek this kind of sex are not gay.

''We are talking about a recreational, erotic activity that involves all different kinds of men,'' he said. ``That fact has got to get burned into public consciousness. If we are going to demonize individuals, then we need to be looking at a broad category of men. That includes ministers and city officials, all kind of respectable, upscale people.''

Naugle has been talking for weeks in local and national media about his concerns about gay sex is public restrooms. His remarks have angered local and national gay leaders and, according to the county tourism agency, frightened away some straight tourists.

''He has demonized a significant portion of our residents and our visitors,'' Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic caucus, told the County Commission today.

All nine county commissioners criticized Naugle at today's commission meeting.

''It's unfortunate that someone who goes to church regularly doesn't know the word of being tolerant to everyone else,'' Commissioner Sue Gunzburger said. ``It pains me that there is so much hate in his body.''

Naugle, a Democrat who has served in city office since 1985, has said being thrown off the board won't end his campaign.

''It's strange that none of them called me to get my side of the controversy,'' Naugle said after the vote. ``In some ways, this will allow me to be more involved in trying to influence the members of the Tourist Development Council in the future.''

While Florida's Government in the Sunshine law prohibits members of the tourism board from discussing official business in private, Naugle noted that the law will no longer apply to him, so he can speak with members individually.

In light of the AIDS rate in South Florida, Naugle has questioned why a tourist guide promotes a gay ''bathhouse'' where he said sexual encounters occur. But he said he hasn't called for an end to gay tourism.

Naugle's comments led a San Francisco gay newspaper to call for a boycott of Fort Lauderdale; Broward tourism director Nicki Grossman fielded a call from a mother who worried that her daughter would see men having sex if she attends a soccer tournament here.

Commissioner Stacy Ritter said Grossman told her that a group that signed a deal to hold a conference at a resort that would have brought in $275,000 in economic benefit to the county has placed their event on hold. Also, sports teams are reevaluating travel plans due to concern about whether the community is safe. ''Hate has become very costly to this county,'' said Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin.

Naugle's latest battle with the gay community began a few weeks ago when he said a proposal for single-occupancy toilets at the beach would reduce gay sex in public bathrooms. Ultimately, the city abandoned the idea of buying the toilets for the beach.

Initially, the city said only two people had been arrested for sexual activity in a public restroom since 2005. But Naugle recently said that number is eight, including a recent arrest at Holiday Park, and five men who were nabbed a few years ago in Mills Pond Park.

I asked Mayor Naugle if he thought Senator Craig who was arrested for msm was gay and attached is his response. I wonder what Senator Craig, his wife and children think of the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale's response that the senator is gay and got what he deserved.

Rich

Mayor Naugle's response to Rich:

If he is having sex with men, he is not straight. This proves my point, it is a problem. Glad he got arrested.

Under fire from leaders of his own party, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig on Tuesday said the only thing he had done wrong was to plead guilty after a complaint of lewd conduct in a men's room. He declared, "I am not gay. I never have been gay."

"I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport," he said at a news conference with his wife, Suzanne, at his side.

Craig's defiant news conference came as Senate Republican leaders in Washington called for an ethics committee review into his involvement in a police sting operation this summer in the airport men's room.

"In the meantime, the leadership is examining other aspects of the case to see if additional action is required," Sen. Mitch McConnell and other top GOP lawmakers said in a written statement obtained by The Associated Press.

Earlier, the private group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics filed a complaint with the ethics committee seeking an investigation into whether Craig violated Senate rules by engaging in disorderly conduct.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Under fire from leaders of his own party, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig on Tuesday said the only thing he had done wrong was to plead guilty after a complaint of lewd conduct in a men's room. He declared, "I am not gay. I never have been gay."

"I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport," he said at a news conference with his wife, Suzanne, at his side.

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago included an openly lesbian priest among five nominees for bishop Tuesday, as fellow Anglicans demand that the church bar gay bishops.

The Rev. Tracey Lind, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, who has a female partner, will be on the Nov. 10 ballot.

If she wins, she would be the second bishop living with a same-sex partner in the Episcopal Church. New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, who has a male partner, was consecrated in 2003, pushing the world Anglican Communion to the brink of schism.

The Episcopal Church is the Anglican body in the U.S.

Next month, U.S. Episcopal bishops will meet to decide whether they should agree to Anglican demands that they unequivocally pledge by Sept. 30 not to consecrate another openly gay bishop. If the bishops say no, the church could lose its full membership in the 77 million-member communion.

The other candidates for Chicago bishop are the Rev. Jane Gould, rector of St. Stephen's Memorial Episcopal Church in Lynn, Mass.; the Rev. Jeffrey Lee, rector of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Wash.; the Rev. Margaret Rose, director of national Episcopal women's ministries; and the Rev. Timothy Safford, rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia.

Chicago Bishop William Persell plans to resign after his successor is consecrated.

From Associated Press: Photos released by the Metropolitan Airports Commission Police Department show Sen. Larry Craig, R-ID., taken at the time of his arrest June 11, 2007 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. (AP Photo/via Metropolitan Airports Commission Police Department)

(AP) -- Comments state Rep. Bob Allen made to police after he was arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution will not be used in court, attorneys agreed Monday.

Attorney Greg Eisenmenger said his client Allen was not informed of his Miranda rights to remain silent until he was booked into the jail, after which police asked no more questions.

State prosecutors did not oppose Eisenmenger's motion to suppress Allen's statements and said the comments were not needed to prosecute the case.

Authorities say the Republican lawmaker from Merritt Island agreed to pay an undercover officer $20 to perform oral sex on him at a park restroom July 11. Police records say Allen told police he talked to the other man only because he was intimidated by the ''stocky black guy'' -- who turned out to be a police officer.

Also Monday, Brevard County Judge Oscar Hotusing denied a request by Allen's lawyers to dismiss the prostitution solicitation case against him.

Trial has been set for Sept. 19.

Telephone messages and e-mails sent to Allen and Eisenmenger were not returned after hours Monday.